Improvement in lightning-rods



H. W. FARLEY.

Lightning Rod.

N, PETERS. Phoio-Lithngmphon Washington. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE HENRY W. FARLEY, OF OSWEGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN LIGHTNING-RODS.

Specilieation forming part of Letters Patent No. 91,530, dated June 2Q, 1869.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY W. FARLEY, of Oswego, in the county of Kendall, and in the. State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lightning-Rods; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, making a part of this specification, in

which- Figure l represents a lightning-rod as iinproved. Fig. 2 represents a cross-section of Fig. l on the line a: x, and Fig. 3 another cross-section of the same on the line y y.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

In constructing lightning-rods it has been found to be extremely diiicult to produce an article which, while possessing all the desired qualities, is suiciently cheap to insure its general adoption, because the great expense of copper or other metals possessing the quali ties of being good conductors of electricity renders their use impraeticable Ain forming rods ot suicient size to insure the necessary strength.

To obviate .these objections is the object of my invention, which consists ofthe application of wire or strips of metal possessing superior quali ties as a conductor of electricity within grooves or corrugations formed upon the surface of some baser metal for the purpose of producing a lightning-rod in which strength, durability, and cheapuess are combined with high conducting powers.

Inthe annexed drawings, A represents a lightning-rod, constructed of iron, in the form commonly known as the star or volute pattern, in which the maximum of strength is obtained with the minimum of weight. This rod is usually rolled in lengths of about eleven feet, the ends of which are provided with screws c, which tit into corresponding threads in a socket or coupling, B, so as to form, when perfectly constructed, a continuous rod.

It has been found, however, that, in addition to the inferior conducting qualitiesof the metal employed, the use of imperfectly-constructed joints or couplings greatly impairs the continuity and conductingqualities of the rod, and it too often proves true that the use of such rods is a source of danger rather than protection, as their platinum or copper points attract the electricity; but the imperfect rods do not always conduct it safely to the ground.

In order to overcome these diiiiculties, I apply wire or strips of sheet-copper c c, &c., within the grooves of said rod, where it may be secured by means of solder, as shown at a' a: in Figs. 1 and 2, or by means of rings of wire or of sheet metal, as shown at y y in Figs. l and 3.

The wire or strips cc, &c., may be attached to the lengths of the rod before the saine are secured together, and after said joints are coupled, the ends ot' said wire or strips may be twisted together, as shown in Fig. 1, or they may be applied to said rod after it is in place, in which event no joints would be required, as the wire or strips could be readily applied in lengths corresponding to the entire length of the rod, and thus furnish a perfect, unbroken conductor.

The advantages possessed by this construction are so obvious as to scarcely require mention. It will be seen that by it is formed a rod which, while being a perfect conductor ot' electricity, is strong', durable, and but little more expensive than the ordinary imperfect iron rod so commonly used.

Having thus fully set forth the nature and merits of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The application of one or more wires or strips of copper or other metal possessing superior qualities as conductors ot' electricity within the angles or grooves of a corrugated iron rod, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12th day of April, 1869.

HENRY IV. FARLEY.

Vitnesses:

DAvrn HALL, FEsTUs BURR. 

